Young, elderly, or donkeys with veterinary conditions may have additional needs and differing management practices.

The following sources of information will provide you with information on what you need to know about keeping your donkeys fit and well.

Donkey Care Handbook

Owning or caring for a donkey is most rewarding and the Donkey Care Handbook acts as a companion for all your donkey care questions, such as, how much space does a donkey need? What does a donkey eat? How can I create the perfect donkey environment? How much does it cost to keep a donkey? This guide also includes information on keeping your donkey healthy and avoiding illness. This guide is an essential reference for both novice and experienced donkey care givers.

Fact sheets

Our fact sheets include more detail on various aspects of donkey care and welfare. They provide information on common diseases, management of donkeys at different stages of their lives, dental problems, behaviour including details on mules and hinnies, and poisonous plants to name just a few. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the full list of fact sheets.

Feeding and nutritional advice

If you would like advice on feeding your donkey, and can’t find what you are looking for in The Donkey Care Guide or fact sheets, then please visit our feeding and nutrition advice page, with lots of information on feeding donkeys in general, plus some common feeding scenarios, FAQs and more.

Training courses

We run training courses across the country on donkey care and behaviour which give an opportunity for participants to have their donkey questions answered by our team of experienced trainers.

The Complete Book of the Donkey

Based on Dr Elisabeth Svendsen's many years of experience. This indispensable book covers all aspects of donkey care and management. The Complete Book of the Donkey is available available to buy through our online giftshop.

DVDs

Introduction to Donkey Care (Stage 1) covers all the core contents of our first course on donkey care, great as a reminder of what’s required or as preparation for having donkeys - available through our online giftshop.

Introduction to Donkey Health Care (Stage 2) includes essentials for any donkey owner, helps to set out the management practices that will help to keep your donkey as healthy as possible - available through our online giftshop.

Welfare advice

If you can’t find what you are looking for then you please send a question via our contact form.

Advice, help and support on caring for your donkeys is provided by our Welfare Department. The welfare advice line is open 8.30am -4.30pm Monday to Friday. Please call the main Sanctuary switchboard on 01395 578222 and ask for the Welfare Department advice line (Ireland 022 48398).